Ultra-High Density Frames

ABSTRACT

A total front access double sided frame includes a first access side opposite a second access side, and fiber blocks received in the first and second access sides. The fiber blocks may include splice modules and patch modules and have capacity to receive about 6,900 fiber terminations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/698,568, filed Apr. 28, 2015, titled “Ultra-HighDensity Frames,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/985,361, filed Apr. 28, 2014, both of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

An important consideration in data communication equipment is circuitdensity. Most central data communication locations have limited space.Therefore, there is a need to reduce the size of data communicationequipment, and install as much data communication equipment as possiblein a relatively small space at a central data communication location.

For data communication manufacturers, making high density frames can bea challenging process in which engineers develop frames to meet the highdensity needs of the central data communication locations whileprotecting communication lines, maintaining bend radii of thecommunication lines, and managing massive amounts of the communicationlines. This is particularly true for optical fiber communication lines,where the engineers create total front access (TFA) frames having a highdensity of optical fibers. Frames exist having a high density capacityof about 3,000 fiber terminations per frame, but the frames are not TFA,and instead require access to the backs of the frames. For example, inthe case where the frame has a high density capacity of about 3,000fiber terminations per frame, the splices are done at the back of theframe. Thus, a user must first splice cables at the back of the frame,and then traverse around a plurality of frames (e.g., a row of frames)to get to the front of the frame to patch the cables at the front of theframe the user is working on.

Moreover, when higher density capacities of fiber terminations areinvolved, the frames may be a dedicated splicing only frame or adedicated patching only frame, resulting in a higher quantity of frames,and consuming more space. Further, when higher density capacities offiber terminations are involved, footprints of the frames can becomeuncommon (i.e., not a standard size), resulting in uncommon spaceconsumption in data communication locations. For example, when higherdensity capacities of fiber terminations are involved, a 23-inch mount(58-centimeter mount) frame may be designed to have a footprint of awidth about 30 inches (76 centimeters) and a depth of about 24 inches(61 centimeters), which may be an uncommon footprint size used incentral data communication locations and may be difficult to utilizewith other existing frames and/or in relatively small spaces at thecentral data communication locations.

SUMMARY

Data communication apparatus are described which are configured to havea high density of fiber terminations per frame (e.g., 3000 or more), aretotal front access (TFA), and have a common footprint (e.g., a width ofabout 30 inches (76 centimeters) and a depth of about 36 inches (91centimeters). Generally, the data communication apparatus include atotal front access frame having fiber termination modules that providefor splicing and patching the high volume of fiber terminations, whileprotecting the fibers and maintaining bend radii of the fibers. Thissummary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of ultra-highdensity data communication frames, which are further described below inthe Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identifyessential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended foruse in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In some examples, a data communication apparatus includes a double sidedframe having a first access side opposite a second access side, andfirst and second pluralities of fiber blocks received in the first andsecond access sides. In some examples, the first and second pluralitiesof fiber blocks may have capacity to receive at least about 4,000 fiberterminations. In some examples, the first and second pluralities offiber blocks may have capacity to receive at least about 6,900 fiberterminations. The first and second pluralities of fiber blocks mayinclude splice modules and patch modules.

In other examples, a data communication apparatus includes a framehaving a first access face opposite a second access face. The firstaccess face of the frame may be arranged to receive fiber terminationmodules in a left side column of the first access face of the frame andto receive fiber termination modules in a right side column of the firstaccess face of the frame. And, the second access face of the frame maybe arranged to receive fiber termination modules in a left side columnof the second access face of the frame and receive fiber terminationmodules in a right side column of the second access face of the frame.Further, the data communication apparatus may include first and secondfiber access management bays arranged between the left and right sidecolumns of the first and second access faces of the frame.

In another example, a data communication apparatus includes a chassishaving a height of at least about 10 rack units (RUs) to at most about12 RUs and arranged to be received by a first access side of a frame ora second access side of the frame opposite the first access side of theframe. A plurality of splice trays and/or patch trays may be received inthe chassis and arranged to receive a quantity of fiber terminations.

In another example, a method for managing connectivity information mayinclude receiving a machine-readable code arranged with a fiber block,and presenting information of a plurality of trays of the fiber block,via a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The GUI may display connectivityinformation of fiber terminations arranged in a selected tray of thefiber block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view, a top view, a side view, and aperspective view of an example data communication apparatus having fiberblocks received in a frame.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view and a perspective view of an examplefiber block receivable by the frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view an example fiber block receivableby the frame shown in FIG. 1 with a tray in an open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates top views of example trays received by a fiber block.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the example tray shown in FIG.4 with a pop-up adapter pack in an up position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the example tray shown in FIG.4 with a machine-readable code arranged with the tray.

FIG. 7 illustrates a row of example data communication apparatus andinterconnect fiber routing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a row of example data communication apparatus andcross connect fiber routing.

FIG. 9 illustrates a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for managingconnectivity information.

FIGS. 10(A), 10(B), 10(C), and 10(D) illustrate example interfaces formanaging connectivity information.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for managing connectivityinformation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure is directed to data communication apparatus having fiberblocks arranged in total front access frames, fiber termination modules,and methods of managing connectivity information. For example, datacommunication apparatus may include a total front access (TFA) framehaving first and second access sides and a plurality of fiber blocksarranged in the first and/or second access sides. In other words, eachaccess side may provide access to all of the fibers/connections housedin that side so that a user need not gain access to both sides of theapparatus in order to patch or splice a cable. The fiber blocks arrangedin the first and/or second access sides may include a plurality of fibertermination modules. For example, a plurality of splice modules and/or aplurality of patch modules may be arranged in the fiber blocks. Theplurality of splice modules may include a plurality of splice traysdisplaceably received in the splice modules. The plurality of patchmodules may include a plurality of patch trays displaceably received inthe patch modules. Because the fiber blocks may include a plurality ofdisplaceably splice trays and/or displaceable patch trays a user maysplice and patch cables at the first access side of the frame and/orsplice and patch cables at the second access side of the frame withouttraversing around a plurality of frames (e.g., a row of frames) to getto an opposite side of a frame.

In another example, fiber termination modules may be arranged in leftand right side columns of the first and second access faces of theframe, and fiber management bays may be arranged between the left andright side columns of the first and second access faces. For example, aplurality of splice modules and/or a plurality of patch modules may bearranged in columns of the first and second access faces of the frame.Because the fiber termination modules may be arranged in left and rightside columns of the first and second faces of the frame, cablemanagement bays may be arranged between the left and right side columns.In addition, the cable management bays may have capacity to receive atleast about 4,000 fiber terminations—at least about 6,900 fiberterminations in some examples. Because the cable management bays receivefiber terminations between the fiber termination modules, the fibertermination modules may be accessed at the first and second faces of theframe to splice and/or patch the fiber terminations received by thecable management bays.

In another example, a top and/or bottom profile of the frame may havefour notches or channels that provide and constitute part of a fiberrouting/storage area. For example, the frame may have a cross shaped topand/or bottom profile and when frames are arranged adjacent to eachother (e.g., in a row of frames), the neighboring notches of the twocross shaped top and/or bottom profiles of the frames constitute a fiberrouting/storage area between the adjacent frames. Stated another way,each frame may have a first half of a fiber routing/storage area, andwhen first and second halves arranged together the first and secondhalves form a fiber routing/storage area between adjacent frames. Insome examples, a spool may be arranged in the first half and/or in thesecond half for storing and/or routing fiber cables.

In another example, a machine-readable code may be associated with aframe, a fiber block, a fiber termination module, and/or a tray. Themachine-readable code may provide for managing connectivity informationof the data communication locations and/or data communicationapparatuses. For example, a user may scan the machine-readable codeusing a mobile device (e.g., hand scanner, smart phone, PDA, tablet,etc.). Upon receiving a machine-readable code arranged on or near afiber block, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) may present information ofa plurality of trays of the fiber block. While the machine-readable codeis described as being arranged on or near a fiber block, themachine-readable code may be arranged on a wall, a post, a column, afloor, a map etc. proximate or adjacent to a fiber block. Moreover, uponreceiving an indication of a selection of a tray (e.g., by userselection of a graphic of the UI representing the tray), the GUI maydisplay connectivity information of fiber terminations arranged in theselected tray. In this way, a user (e.g., an installer, a technician, amanager, an information systems technician, etc.) may manage theultra-high density of fiber cables associated with the datacommunication apparatus. For example, because the frames of the datacommunication apparatus have capacity to receive at least about 4,000fiber terminations—at least about 6,900 fiber terminations in someexamples—labeling real estate in the frames may be limited, andmachine-readable codes may be used to provide connectivity informationfor the massive amounts of fiber terminations in the frames.

Illustrative Data Communication Apparatuses

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view 102, a top view 104, a side view 106,and a perspective view 108 of an example data communication apparatus110 having fiber blocks 112(1), 112(2), 112(3), and 112(N) received in aframe 114. For example, the frame 114 may having a first access side116(1) opposite a second access side 116(2), and a first plurality offiber blocks 112(1)-112(N) received in the first access side of theframe, and a second plurality of fiber blocks (not shown) received inthe second access side of the frame. The first and second pluralities offiber blocks 112(1)-112(N) may collectively have a capacity to receiveat least about 4,000 fiber terminations. For example, the frame mayreceive about 4 fiber blocks in the first access side 116(1) and about 4fiber blocks in the second access side 116(2), and each of the fiberblocks may have a capacity to receive at least about 500 fiberterminations. In another example, the frame may receive about 4 fiberblocks in the first access side 116(1) and about 4 fiber blocks in thesecond access side 116(2), and each of the fiber blocks may have acapacity to receive at least about 900 fiber terminations. Moreover, thefirst plurality of fiber blocks 112(1)-112(N) received in the firstaccess side 116(1) of the frame 114 may splice and patch about half ofthe fiber terminations, and the second plurality of fiber blocks112(1)-112(N) in the second access side 116(2) of the frame 114 maysplice and patch about the other half of the fiber terminations. In oneexample, each of the fiber blocks may have a capacity to receive atleast about 864 fiber terminations. Fiber terminations may be splicetermination and/or patch terminations. A splice termination may be twoseparate fibers (e.g., separate pieces of glass) being joined togetherthrough a splice (e.g., joining two fibers end-to-end). A patchtermination may be separate fibers (e.g., separate cables) terminated ina connector (e.g., Lucent Connectors (LCs), subscriber connectors (SC),etc.)) having an end condition (e.g., an angle-polished connector (APC)end condition or an ultra-polished connector (UPC) end condition). Inthe patch termination, the separate fibers terminated in the connectormay then be inserted into an adapter (e.g., a coupler), where theadapter may provide for an additional cable to be inserted into theopposite end providing a continuous path for light to pass through. Inthis example, where each of the fiber blocks may have a capacity toreceive at least about 864 fiber terminations, the first and secondpluralities of fiber blocks 112(1)-112(N) may have a capacity to receiveat least about 6,900 fiber terminations. In another example, each of thefirst and second pluralities of fiber blocks 112(1)-112(N) may havecapacity to hold at least about 500 fiber terminations. In anotherexample, each of the first and second pluralities of fiber blocks112(1)-112(N) may have capacity to hold at least about 850 fiberterminations.

Front view 102 of FIG. 1 illustrates the first and second pluralities offiber blocks 112(1)-112(N) may include splice modules 118 and patchmodules 120. (Discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 2). In oneexample, each of the plurality of fiber blocks 112(1)-112(N) may have awidth of about 23 inches (58 centimeters) and a height of at least about10 rack units (RUs) to at most about 12 RUs. FIG. 1 illustrates theframe 114 may have a footprint 122 having a width 124 of about 30 inches(76 centimeters) and a depth 126 of about 36 inches (91 centimeters).

FIG. 1 illustrates the data communication apparatus 110 may include atleast one pass-through 128. For example, the at least one pass-through128 may be arranged from the first access side 116(1) to the secondaccess side 116(2) to provide for passing fiber cables received at thefirst access side 116(1) to the second access side 116(2), and/orpassing fiber cables received by the second access side 116(2) to thefirst access side 116(1). While FIG. 1 illustrates the pass-through 128being arranged substantially in a middle of the height of the frame, thepass-through 128 may be arranged at any location along the height of theframe. Further, the data communication apparatus 110 may include atleast one pass-through 130 arranged from a top 132 of the frame 114 tothe first access side 116(1) and/or to the second access side 116(2).For example, the frame 114 may have a pass-through 130 arranged from thetop 132 of the frame 114 to the first access side 116(1) to provide forpassing fiber cables received at the top 132 of the frame 114 to thefirst access side 116(1), and pass-through arranged from the top 132 ofthe frame 114 to the second access side 116(2) to provide for passingfiber cables received at the top 132 of the frame 114 to the secondaccess side 116(2). In another example, the data communication apparatus110 may include a cable unit 134 secured above the at least onepass-through 130 on the top 132 of the frame 114 to provide storage ofat least a portion of fiber cables. For example, fiber cables may bereceived by the cable unit 134 from fiber troughs (not shown) arrangedabove the cable unit 134 and the fiber cables may be passed through thecable unit 134 to the pass-through arranged with the first and secondaccess sides 116(1) and 116(2). In this way the fiber cables received bythe data communication apparatus 110 may be made accessible at the firstand second access sided 116(1) and 116(2). Thus, total front access tothe fiber cables is provided by the data communication apparatus 110.

In another example, the frame 114 may meet Zone 4 seismicspecifications. For example, the frame may include primary load baringposts 136 that are positioned substantially in a middle of the right andleft sides of the frame 114, and secondary load bearing posts 138.Specifically, in a Zone 4 geographic area, there is a one in ten chanceof experiencing a seismic event having an acceleration level of 0.04times that of gravity in the next fifty years. This compliance ispossible via a stress transfer from the secondary load bearing posts 136to the primary load bearing posts 138.

In some examples, the first access face 116(1) of the frame 114 may bearranged to receive fiber termination modules 140 in a left side columnof the first access face of the frame 114 and fiber termination modules140 in a right side column of the first access face of the frame 114.Similarly, the second access face 116(2) of the frame 114 may bearranged to receive fiber termination modules 140 in a left side columnof the second access face of the frame 114 and fiber termination modules140 in a right side column of the second access face of the frame 114.In one examples, a fiber termination module 140 may comprise a pluralityof splice modules 118 (e.g., 18 fiber splice cassettes) arranged in amodule in the left side column or the right side column of the firstand/or second access faces of the frame 114. In another example, a fibertermination module 140 may comprise a plurality of patch modules 120(e.g., 9 fiber patch trays) arranged in a module in the left side columnor the right side column of the first and/or second access faces of theframe 114.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the tops and/or bottom profiles of the frames114 may have notches 142 that provide and constitute part of a fiberrouting/storage area. For example, each of the frames 114 may have across shaped top and/or bottom profile and when the frames 114 arearranged adjacent to each other in a row of frames 114, the neighboringnotches of the two cross shaped top and/or bottom profiles of the frames114 constitute the fiber routing/storage areas between the adjacentframes 114.

Illustrative Fiber Blocks

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view 202 and a perspective view 204 of anexample fiber block 206 receivable by the frame 114 shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, the fiber block 206 may be arranged to be received by the firstaccess side 116(1) of the frame 114 or the second access side 116(1) ofthe frame 114 opposite the first access side 116(1) of the frame 114.FIG. 2 illustrates the fiber block 206 may include a chassis 208. In oneexample, the chassis 208 may have a height 210 of at least about 10 rackunits (RUs) to at most about 12 RUs. In another example, the chassis 208may have a height 210 of at least about 11 RUs.

FIG. 2 illustrates the fiber block 206 may include a plurality of splicetrays 212 displaceably received in the chassis 208 and arranged toreceive a quantity of fiber terminations. Fiber terminations in thesplice tray may be contained in a splice clip comprising a foam orplastic part which a splice is inserted into, and the splice clipincluding sides arranged to clamp onto the splice and hold the splice inplace and allow the splice to be removed if needed. In some examples,the fiber block 206 may include about 36 splice trays 212 (e.g.,cassettes) that may be pre-terminated and routed for easy installation.In some examples, the fiber block 206 may include at least about 34splice trays to at most about 38 splice trays. FIG. 2 illustrates thefiber block 206 may include a plurality of patch trays 214 displaceablyreceived in the chassis 208 and arranged to receive the quantity offiber terminations. For example, the fiber block 206 may include about18 patch trays 214 that may be pre-terminated and routed for easyinstallation.

The fiber block 206 may include a fiber management bay 216 arrangedsubstantially at a middle 218 of a width 220 of the chassis 208 andextending the height 210 of the chassis 208. The fiber management bay216 may provide for managing a quantity of fiber terminations 222 (e.g.,fiber cables). For example, the fiber block 206 may receive fiberterminations 222 (e.g., up to about 860 fiber terminations) and portions224 of the fiber terminations 222 may be routed to each of the 36 splicetrays 212. The patch trays 214 may then receive fiber terminations fromthe splice trays 212.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first portion 226(1) of the plurality of splicetrays 212 may be arranged on a left side of the fiber management bay216, and a second portion 226(2) of the plurality of splice trays 212may be arranged on a right side of the fiber management bay 216. FIG. 2illustrates a first portion 228(1) of the plurality of patch trays 214may be arranged on a left side of the fiber management bay 216, and asecond portion 228(2) of the plurality of patch trays 214 may bearranged on a right side of the fiber management bay 216.

The fiber block 206 may include at least one bar 230 arranged in thefiber management bay 216. The bar 230 may provide for restraining atleast a portion of the quantity fiber terminations 222. FIG. 2illustrates at least one side trough 232 arranged with at least one ofthe plurality of patch trays 214. The side trough 232 may be coupled tothe chassis 208 and may have an exit 234 arranged on an outside of thechassis 208.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view 302 of an example fiber block 304.Similar to fiber block 206, fiber block 304 may be receivable by theframe 114 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates the fiber block 304 mayhave a tray 306 (e.g., splice tray 212 or patch tray 214) in an openposition 308. For example, when the fiber block 304 is received in thefirst access face 116(1) of the frame 114, the tray 306 may be arrangedin front of the first access face 116(1) of the frame 114 when the trayis in the open position 308 and, when the tray 306 is in a stowedposition 310 the tray 306 may be arranged in the first access face116(1) of the frame 114. Further, when the fiber block 304 is receivedin the second access face 116(2) of the frame 114, the tray 306 may bearranged in front of the second access face 116(2) of the frame 114 whenthe tray is in the open position 308 and, when the tray 306 is in thestowed position 310 the tray 306 may be arranged in the second accessface 116(2) of the frame 114.

FIG. 3 illustrates the fiber access management bay 216 may have capacityto receive at least about four fiber terminations 222 (e.g., up to aboutfour units of 860 fiber terminations). In some examples, the first fibertermination may be received by the first fiber block arranged in theframe 114, the second fiber termination may be received by the secondfiber block arranged in the frame 114, a third fiber termination may bereceived by the third fiber block arranged in the frame 114, and thefourth fiber termination may be received by the fourth fiber blockarranged in the frame 114.

FIG. 3 illustrates fiber terminations exiting a plurality of sidetroughs 232. For example, the side troughs 232 may be stepped to providefor network jumpers exiting the plurality of side troughs in asubstantially staggered pattern. For example, the side troughs 232 mayhave decreasing lengths arranged along the height 210 of the fiber block304. Moreover, the side troughs 232 may have increasing gaps (e.g.,distances) between the exits 234 and the chassis 208 arranged along theheight 210 of the fiber block 304.

Illustrative Trays

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view 402 of an example tray 404 (e.g., patchtray 214) in an open position 406, and a top view 408 of an example tray410 in a stowed position 412. For example, the displaceable trays may bemoveable (e.g., slideable) between the stowed position 412 and the openposition 406, wherein when in the stowed position 412 a displaceabletray may be arranged a distance in the chassis 208 of a fiber block(e.g., fiber blocks 206 or 304) and when in the open position thedisplaceable tray may be arranged a distance in front of the chassis 208of a fiber block.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side troughs 232 arranged with the trays 404 and410. For example, the side troughs 232 may be coupled to the chassis 208and may have an exit 234 arranged on an outside of the chassis 208.Flexible members 414(A) may be communicatively coupled to an end of thetrough 232 opposite the exit 234 and coupled to trays 404 and 410.Flexible members 414(B) may be communicatively coupled to ends of sidetroughs 416 opposite breakout boxes 418 and coupled to the trays 404 and410. The side troughs 416 may be coupled to the chassis 208 and thebreakout boxes 418 may be arranged on the inside of the chassis 208. Theflexible members 414(A) and 414(B) may comprise links and extend andcompress to maintain bend radius of the fiber received by the flexiblemembers 414(A) and 414(B).

The breakout boxes 418 of the side troughs 416 may provide for splittingat least a portion of the quantity of fiber terminations 222, and theflexible members 414(A) and 414(B) of side troughs 416 may be arrangedto maintain a bend radius of the portion of the quantity of fiberterminations 222 when the trays 404 and 410 are displaced between theopen 404 and the stowed position 410. In one example, the breakout boxes418 of the side troughs 416 may provide for splitting the quantity offiber terminations 222 to about 0.03 inches (900 micrometers (μm)). Forexample, the breakout boxes 418 may comprise one or more splittingblocks. Each splitting block having furcation tubes coupled to a firstend of the splitting block. Jacketed fibers may communicatively coupleto a second end of the splitting block opposite the first end of theblock to communicatively couple the fibers in the furcation tubes in thefirst end of the block with the jacketed fibers in the second end of theblock to split the quantity of fiber terminations 222 to about 0.03inches (900 micrometers (μm)). In another example, the breakout boxes418 may comprise one or more fiber fan out kits arranged in the breakoutboxes to split the quantity of fiber terminations 222 to about 0.03inches (900 micrometers (μm)). In another example, the breakout boxes418 may comprise a set of empty jackets (e.g., zip-cord jackets)arranged to split the quantity of fiber terminations 222 to about 0.03inches (900 micrometers (μm)). The breakout boxes may receive outsidefiber and the exits 234 of the side troughs 232 may pass the patchedoutside fiber out to equipment and/or fiber management bays arrangedbetween frames 114. In some examples, the output fiber at the exits 234may be 0.08 inch (2 mm) output fiber, and the input fiber at thebreakout boxes 418 may be 0.03 inch (900 micrometer (μm)) input fiber.

FIG. 4 illustrates apertures 420 arranged in the tray 404 and 410 alongand below rows of adapters 422 to provide bottom access to the rows ofadapters 422. For example, the rows of adapters 422 may include a row ofoutput adapters arranged in the patch tray and a row of input adaptersarranged in the patch tray adjacent to the row of output adapters. Insome examples, at least one of the output adapters or the input adaptersmay comprise a pop-up adapter pack 424. The pop-up adapter pack 424 mayinclude connectors (e.g., Lucent Connectors (LCs), subscriber connectors(SC), etc.), fixed to a displaceable plate.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view 502 of the tray 404 shown in FIG.4 with the pop-up adapter pack 424 in an up position 504. For example, auser may selective pop-up the pop-up adapter pack 424 to displace thepop-up adapter pack 424 up a distance from the tray 404. The pop-upadapter pack 424 comprises a first pair of connectors 506(1) (e.g.,Lucent Connectors (LCs)) fixed to a top of a displaceable plate 508 andstacked above a second pair of connectors 506(2) (e.g., LCs) fixed to abottom of the displaceable plate 508. While FIG. 5 illustrates both ofthe first and second pair of connectors 506(1) and 506(2) having releasemechanisms arranged towards the top of the displaceable plate 508, thefirst pair of connectors 506(1) fixed to the top of the displaceableplate 508 may have release mechanisms arranged toward the top of thedisplaceable plate 508, and the second pair of connectors 506(2) fixedto the bottom of the displaceable plate 508 may have release mechanismsarranged toward the bottom of the plate 508. Stated otherwise, thesecond pair of connectors 506(2) may be arranged in an inverted positionso that the release mechanisms are arranged towards the bottom of theplate to provide access to the release mechanism via the aperture 418.FIG. 5 illustrates the apertures 420 arranged in the tray 404 along andbelow the row of adapters to provide bottom access to the row of pop-upadapter packs 424.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view 602 of the example tray 404 shownin FIG. 4 with a machine-readable code 604 arranged with the tray 404.For example, the machine-readable code 604 may be arranged on a front ofthe plurality of splice trays or on the front of the plurality of patchtrays to provide a user with a map of the fiber terminations in thechassis 208 and/or the frame 114. While FIG. 6 illustrates themachine-readable code 604 comprising a Quick Response Code (QR code)arranged on the front of the tray 404, the machine-readable code 604 maycomprise a bar code, a Radio-frequency identification (RFID), universalproduct code (UPC), etc. The machine-readable code 604 may provide formanaging connectivity information in data communication apparatus. Forexample, a user may scan the machine-readable code using a mobile device(e.g., hand scanner, smart phone, PDA, tablet, etc.). Upon receiving amachine-readable code arranged on or near a fiber termination module, aGraphical User Interface (GUI) may present information of a plurality oftrays of the fiber termination module. Moreover, upon receiving anindication of a selection of a tray (e.g., by user selection of agraphic of the UI representing the tray), the GUI may displayconnectivity information of fiber terminations arranged in the selectedtray. In this way, a user (e.g., an installer, a technician, a manager,an information systems technician, etc.) may manage the ultra-highdensity of fiber cables associated with the data communicationapparatus. For example, because the frames of the data communicationapparatus have capacity to receive at least about 4,000 fiberterminations—at least about 6,900 fiber terminations in some examples—,labeling real estate in the frames may be limited, and machine-readablecodes may be used to provide connectivity information for the massiveamounts of fiber terminations in the frames.

Illustrative Fiber Routing

FIG. 7 illustrates a row of data communication apparatus 702 andinterconnect fiber routing in the row of data communication apparatus702. For example, a plurality of the frames 114 may be coupled to eachother in a row in a data communication location and fibers (e.g., fourfiber terminations 222 per access side 116(1) and 116(2)) may bereceived by each of the frames 114 in the row, patched in the frames114, and then routed to a another data communication space. For example,the fibers may be routed from the row of frames 114 to another room witha switch. Stated another way, the fibers may be spliced and patched toanother location.

FIG. 7 illustrates the pass through 128 of each of the frames 114arranged from the first access side 116(1) to the second access side116(2) to provide for passing fiber cables received at the first accessside 116(1) to the second access side 116(2), and/or passing fibercables received by the second access side 116(2) to the first accessside 116(1). FIG. 7 illustrates the pass-through 130 of each of theframes 114 arranged from the tops 132 of the frames 114 to the firstaccess sides 116(1) and/or to the second access sides 116(2). A fiberguide 702 may be arranged above the row of frames 702 that may providethe fiber cables to each of the frames 114. For example, a fiber guidemay be suspended above and along input express off-ramps arranged abovethe frames 114 secured above the at least one pass-through 130 on thetop 132 of the frame 114. In some examples, the fiber guide 702 mayinclude off-ramps on both sides of the trough. In some examples, theoff-ramps may provide for network jumpers to be received by the fiberguide.

FIG. 7 illustrates a spool 706 for storing and/or routing the fibercables. For example, a plate 708 may be attached a left or right side ofa frame 114 and the spool 706 may be coupled to the plate 708. Asdiscussed above, in some examples, the tops and/or bottom profiles ofthe frames may have notches 142 that provide and constitute part of afiber routing/storage area 710. For example, each of the frames 114 mayhave a cross shaped top and/or bottom profile and when the frames 114are arranged adjacent to each other in the row of frames 702, theneighboring notches 142 of the two cross shaped top and/or bottomprofiles of the frames 114 constitute the fiber routing/storage areas710 between the adjacent frames 114. The plate 708 may be coupled in thestorage areas 710 to protect the fiber cables. The spools 706 coupled tothe plates 708 may provide for slack management of fiber lines for crossconnect and/or interconnect fiber connections. In some examples, a spoolmay be arranged in the first half and/or in the second half for storingand/or routing fiber cables. While FIG. 7 illustrates about a 7 inch (18centimeters) wide storage area 710, the storage area may be any width.For example, the storage area 710 may be about 16 inches (40centimeters), 22 inches (56 centimeters), etc.

FIG. 8 illustrates a row of data communication apparatus 802 and crossconnect fiber routing. For example, a plurality of the frames 114 may becoupled to each other in a row in a data communication location andfibers (e.g., four fiber terminations 222 per access side 116(1) and116(2)) may be received by each of the frames 114 in the row, patched inthe frames 114, and then routed to data communication equipment in thedata communication location. For example, the fibers may be routed fromone frame 114 in the row 802 to another frame 114 in the row 802. Statedanother way, the fiber cables may be patched from one frame to anotherframe.

Illustrative Connectivity Management

FIG. 9 illustrates a Graphical User Interface (GUI) 902 for managingconnectivity information. For example, each fiber block (e.g., fiberblocks 206) may be identified with a machine-readable code 904 that mayprovide for managing connectivity information of the data communicationlocations and/or data communication apparatuses. For example, a user mayscan the machine-readable code 904 using a mobile device 906 (e.g., handscanner, smart phone, PDA, tablet, etc.). Upon receiving themachine-readable code 904, the GUI 902 may present information of theplurality of trays (e.g., plurality of splice trays 212 and/or patchtrays 214) arranged in the fiber block 206. For example, upon receivingthe machine-readable code 904, the GUI 902 may present an image 908 of ablock (e.g., block 112), and/or an interface 910 on a display of thedevice 906. For example, the GUI 902 may display the image 908 of aselected block, and display an interface 910 (discussed in more detailwith respect to FIGS. 10(A), 10(B), 10(C) and 10(D)) to navigate a setof a plurality of trays that are present in the selected block.Moreover, upon selection of a tray, the GUI may display an image of theselected tray, and display an interface 912 to navigate a plurality ofconnections (e.g., patch connections) that are present in the selectedtray. Further, upon receiving an indication of a selection of a tray(e.g., by user selection of a graphic of the UI representing the tray),the GUI may display connectivity information of fiber terminationsarranged in the selected tray. In another example, each bay (e.g., firstaccess face 116(1) or second access face 116(2)) may be identified witha machine-readable code 904. In the example where each bay (e.g., firstaccess face 116(1) or second access face 116(2)) may be identified witha machine-readable code 904, upon receiving the machine-readable code904, the GUI 902 may present information of the plurality of blocks(e.g., fiber blocks) arranged in the selected bay. The mobile device 906may add the connectivity information identified with themachine-readable code 904 to a local storage of the mobile device. Forexample, the mobile device 906 may add the connectivity informationidentified with the machine-readable code 904 to a local storage of themobile device as a list of “favorite” or “frequently accessed” fiberblocks, trays, and/or fiber terminations.

FIGS. 10(A), 10(B), 10(C), and 10(D) illustrate example interfaces formanaging connectivity information. FIG. 10(A) illustrates an exampleinterface 1000(A) to navigate a set of a plurality of bays (e.g., accessfaces 116(1) of frames 114) that are present at a data communicationsite (e.g., rows 702 and/or rows 802 of frames 114 at a site). Theinterface may include a navigation area 1002 for navigating through abay dropdown list 1004. The bay dropdown list 1004 may provideselectable icons 1006 of bays that are present at the site.

FIG. 10(B) illustrates, upon selection of a bay icon 1006 (e.g., Bay 7),an example interface 1000(B) to navigate a set of a plurality of blocks(e.g., fiber blocks 112) that are present in the selected Bay 7. Theinterface may include a navigation area 1008 for navigating through ablock dropdown list 1010. The block dropdown list 1010 may provideselectable icons 1012 of blocks that are present in the selected Bay 7.

FIG. 10(C) illustrates, upon selection of a block icon 1012 (e.g., Block5), an example interface 1000(C) to navigate a set of a plurality oftrays (e.g., splice trays 118 and/or patch trays 120) that are presentin the selected Block 5. The interface may include a navigation area1014 for navigating through a tray dropdown list 1016. The tray dropdownlist 1016 may provide selectable icons 1018 of trays that are present inthe selected Block 5.

FIG. 10(D) illustrates, upon selection of a tray icon 1018 (e.g., Tray14), an example interface 1000(D) to navigate a plurality of connections(e.g., patch connections) that are present in the selected Tray 14. Theinterface may include a navigation area 1020 for navigating through aconnection dropdown list 1022. The connection dropdown list 1022 mayprovide connectivity information of fiber terminations arranged in theselected tray 14.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of an illustrative method 1100 ofmanaging connectivity information. The method 1100 begins at 1102 withreceiving a machine-readable code (e.g., machine-readable code 604 or904) arranged with a fiber block (e.g., fiber block 112). For example, auser may scan the machine-readable code using a mobile device (e.g.,hand scanner, smart phone, PDA, tablet, etc.). In this example where auser may scan the machine-readable code, the scanning operation of themachine-readable code may detect the machine-readable code. At 1104,upon receiving the machine-readable code, a Graphical User Interface(GUI) is provided. For example, at 1104, the GUI may present informationof a plurality of trays (e.g., splice modules 118 and/or patch modules120) of the fiber block. At 1106, a selection of a tray of the fiberblock may be received via the GUI. At 1108, upon receiving an indicationof the selection of the tray, connectivity information of fiberterminations arranged in the selected tray may be displayed in the GUI.

At 1110, the method 1100 may include displaying a graphic of the fiberblock associated with the machine-readable code. The displayed graphicillustrating a plurality of splice trays displaceably received in thefiber block, and/or illustrating a plurality of patch trays displaceablyreceived in the fiber block. At 1112, the method may include providingaugmented reality to overlay a graphical representation of theconnectivity information on an image of the fiber block. For example,photo, a schematic, computer generated model, etc. of the fiber blockmay be superimposed over an image of the fiber block. At 1114, themethod may include providing location information of the fiber block.The location information may comprise Global Position System (GPS)information, Wi-Fi-based position system (WPS) information, mobile phoneposition information, etc. At 1116, the method may include maintainingidentification information of the fiber block, the identificationinformation being associated with the machine-readable code arrangedwith the fiber block. For example, a server, a remote server, adistributed network (e.g., cloud computing), a hand scanner, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet, etc. may maintain or store identificationinformation of the fiber blocks.

The process 1100 (as well as each process described herein) isillustrated as a logical flow graph, each operation of which representsa sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, software,or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the operationsrepresent computer-executable instructions stored on one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage media that, when executed byone or more processors, perform the recited operations. Generally,computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, and the like that perform particularfunctions or implement particular abstract data types. The order inwhich the operations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described operations can be combinedin any order and/or in parallel to implement the process.

CONCLUSION

Although the invention has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific featuresor acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosedas illustrative forms of implementing the invention. For example, whileembodiments are described having certain shapes, sizes, andconfigurations, these shapes, sizes, and configurations are merelyillustrative.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for managingconnectivity information comprising: under control of one or moreprocessors configured with executable instructions, receiving amachine-readable code arranged with a fiber block; upon receiving themachine-readable code, providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI)presenting information of a plurality of trays arranged in the fiberblock; receiving, via the GUI, selection of a tray of the plurality oftrays; and upon receiving an indication of the selection of the tray,displaying, in the GUI, connectivity information of fiber terminationsarranged in the selected tray.